Ephesians 4:28. It is in our human nature to exploit people rather than help them. When someone says help me or they are seen in a vulnerable position, our sin nature sees this as a sign of weakness to be exploited. We steal office supplies from our employer. We cut in line. We borrow money and do not pay it back. We take welfare by overstating our needs. We sell people things they do not need. We overcharge people for things that they do need.

Jesus offers us an alternative way to live. His way enables us to steal no more and give to people that are in need. God has blessed us with abundant resources, and He desires for us to give justly as He has given to us (Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.")

EPHISIANS 4 BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

Colossians 4:1. Are we fair to people in every area of our lives? Do we treat everyone equally? Many people are crying out and saying help me from injustice, but what is our response. When a beggar says help me, I need food. Do we feed them? When a young boy says help me, I'm being hazed at school, do we do something about it? When people are gossiping about the shortcomings of other people, do we join in on the gossip or help the person being talked about. When an old lady on the street says help me I'm being robbed, do we come to her rescue? When genocide is occurring in another country and the people say help me, do we come to their rescue? Justice is all about giving. When someone is seeking justice and equality, God desires for us to help them (Colossians 4:1, "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.")

COLOSSIANS BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Colossians 4:1, "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven."

We see people that have physical needs all the time. They may not say help me directly, but we know they are in need. A girl may need shoes for school. A family may be homeless. A child may be hungry. A woman is too old to go to the store by herself. How do we treat these people that have desperate physical needs? Do we give them a scripture and go about our day? Do we tell them to have a nice day, not putting ourselves in their shoes? God desires for us to reach out to people that have physical needs. This is part of being a Christian. Just as God addresses our physical and spiritual needs, we need to do the same for others. Are we not hypocrites if we tell someone we care for them, but we do not care for them? (James 2:16, "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?")

JAMES BIBLE SCRIPTURE: James 2:16, "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"

God loves to help the weak. A weak person says help me God, and He helps them. God desires to have people acknowledge their weakness and realize the God is their only salvation. On the other hand when we are strong in the Lord, God wants us to help people that are physically and spiritually weak. If someone acknowledges or displays their weakness, He desires for us to help them. This could be a young man that is searching for God's truth. This could be an old woman that needs help with carrying her groceries. It is a blessing when we can be willing vessels that use God's strength to help people in need (Acts 20:35, "I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.")

ACTS BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Acts 20:35, "I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Many people will say help me with their physical needs, but their spiritual needs are greater. When helping people, we need to make sure to take any opportunity we can to minister to their spiritual needs. There may be some times when we cannot help someone with their physical needs, but we can help them with their spiritual needs. Sometimes people will say help me in regard to a physical need, but they are being shortsighted on what they really need. This is what happened with the lame man at the gates Beautiful. He said to Peter, "Help me." All the lame man asked for was alms. Peter perceived that what the lame man really needed was healing. Peter prayed for the lame man and he was healed. This act of healing also opened up opportunities for spiritual healing for both the lame man and for the people that witnessed the lame man's healing (Acts 3:6, "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.")

ACTS BIBLE SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:6, "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."